Woman deported after winning casino jackpot

TUCSON- A woman who won at the casino ended up losing big time when Border Patrol agents were called and she was deported to Mexico.

Mirna Valenzuela went to claim her $1,200 jack pot on December 2nd at Casino del Sol. She gave the casino an Arizona’s driver license.

She was told to come back the next day with her Mexican passport. She did, and she took her daughter with her. After waiting for some time, Border Patrol Agents showed up and took them into custody.

The daughter was eventually released because of the Obama Dream Act, but mom is back in Mexico.

Valenzuela, 43, was a casino club card carrier. She received perks and other benefits for being a regular guest.

Her daughter tells News 4 she had won money in the past, and she’d always given the casino her driver’s license as her proof of ID. It’s the same driver’s license that got her the casino club card.

Zamira Osorio the daughter says, “It’s never happened before so we’re surprised about the whole situation.”

Now, the single mother of four is unable to collect the cash and is in Mexico without her children.

“My family and I feel devastated about it.”

Wendell Long is the CEO of Casino Del Sol, he says “We think it’s a very unfortunate incident. We hate to see anyone suffer any pain or grief.” He adds, “We do not care if they are in the country legally or illegally.

That’s not what we do. We’re here to provide great entertainment.”

Long says, “If she had shown us her Mexican passport her valid Mexican passport there wouldn’t have been any problem at all.”

Osorio admits her mom has been deported in the past. But says she’s a good person who came here to give Zamira a better life that was 20 years ago.

“I didn’t ask to come to this country illegal that’s just the way my parents brought me here. It’s not something that I chose.”

She says she is thankful she wasn’t deported as well. “That would have been a very bad situation for my children and brothers and sister.”

KVOA contacted the Border Patrol and Pascua Yaqui police.

Border Patrol would only confirm, “Agents determined the mother was previously deported from the U.S. in 2008 for illegal entry. Her prior removal order was reinstated and she was returned to Mexico through the Nogales Port of Entry on Dec. 4.”

Pascua Yaqui police referred questions to the Attorney General’s office. As of news time that office had not returned calls.

Is this about the mom being deported or the daughter and the DREAM Act? Either way Obama has not passed a DREAM Act, but rather he authorized deferred action. Come on Lupita, I expect more knowledge from an Hispanic covering Hispanic issues.

I had something like this happen to a friend of mine in Council Bluffs Iowa he won $6,000 they than refused to pay it stating only legal residents could be paid.. now where did they have that posted..... by the time I was done they did pay it.... but what about all the people that have no one to help them and defend them? shame shame shame I will make sure I never go there! If they don't want certain people winning than don't let them play and take their $$$$.